Trigger "finger" Upgrade

[Danny Tumma]

A few weeks ago I purchased a cz 74 d compact. As soon as I pulled the trigger my first thought...trigger job. One problem. My wife and I have to be completely out of debt in a year to go to seminary throught The Salvation Army. Sorry tmi. Anywho. I started dry firing on the couch. Just press and click then repeat. I've probably pulled the d/a trigger 700 times, to my wife's annoyance. I realized. The trigger is so much lighter. Than, it hit me. It's my muscle discipline that's improved: stronger, quicker, front sight not moving. All my other pistols have rediculously great triggers. IM NOT A GREAT SHOOTER my guns are lol. I'm spoiled. Has anyone else had this revelation?

 

[Sam1911]

Yup!

Shoot a DA revolver for a year or two's worth of practice and competitions, then grab just about any auto and you'll be amazed how little a perfect trigger matters to you anymore.

 

[rcmodel]

That.
Plus, on the other hand?

Dry firing a new handgun Does burnish the rough machined engagement surfaces, and smooths mis-matched parts.

Plus, springs get slightly weaker after they take a permanent 'set' and loose strength to meet the design specs after several hundred cycles.

I used to set on the couch and dry-fire every gun I did a trigger job on for someone all evening.

It drove my wife crazy too!
But she understood why I was doing it, and generally went to bed early and covered her head up with two pillows.

rc

 

[Drail]

Every time I hear someone say their trigger got much better I think maybe your hand got into shape.

 

[herrwalther]

This is why some units in the military use "dime drills." Although easier to do on a rifle. Place a dime just behind the front sight. Look down the sights and pull the trigger. Keep going until the dime stays on top consistently. And do it some more.

 

[BCRider]

I'd say that with a new gun it's a little of both. Your hand got better as well as the gun parts burnished the contact surfaces to a smoother trigger condition.

 

[Drail]

I believe that muscles "develop" much faster than "burnished" engagement surfaces from dry firing. If you've ever had to undergo vigorous physical therapy you know what I'm talking about.

 

[GBExpat]

I am in the process of doing this right now. I bought a new, small .44 revolver and I am developing DA control & strength (both hands) thru repeated dry firing.

The Ruger Security Sixes that I owned in the '70s and the 629 that I purchased in '89 (and still have) I have never (much) fired DA ...

... but my new one just screams DA, so ... and there is a nice, tiny, tactile bump from the cylinder locking juuuuust before the trigger breaks so I am working at repeatedly & reliably taking the hammer to there without dropping the hammer, before dropping the hammer.

 

[Nakanokalronin]

Shoot/dry fire a stock Nagant revolver for a few months and then try out any other DAO,DA/SA or SAO trigger and prepare to be amazed.

 

[GBExpat]

That makes me sore just thinking about doing it.

 

[chris in va]

A basic trigger job on a 75 is a pretty easy DIY job. A 15# Wolff hammer spring makes a vast improvement in trigger pull weight and costs less than a value meal at Wendy's.

Cajun Gun Works offers a ton of upgrades if you are so inclined and he gives excellent instructions.

 

[amanda]

I was just thinking that was my problem shooting my new DAO. I think my primary musculature is fatiguing and to get through my 50 rounds I'm kicking in my accessory muscles causing my line of pull to go off track and ruining my shot. Plus some anticipation of recoil. Still working on that.

 

[john_bud]

A cz is easy to smooth out and (imho) should be done soon after purchase. Many good videos and step by step instructions online.

While it is certainly possible to accurately fire a gun with a rough gritty high and variable force trigger, it's easier to do after polishing key areas. Taking away the friction and the grittiness will make the triggering action smoother, lighter and more predictable. That makes it easier to shoot accurately and that's more enjoyable (at least to me). May not be the path for all, but it sure helps me.